Orthopedic pressure device

Abstract

An orthopedic pressure device comprises (a) a semi-rigid or rigid main body configured to contour the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy, (b) an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer, and (c) a displacing mechanism disposed in the main body for applying perpendicular force to the soft tissues of the wearer. The displacing mechanism comprises a lace and tensioning system for adjusting the perpendicular force to the soft tissues.

We claim:  
     
       1. An orthopedic pressure device comprising:
 (a) a main body including an aperture defined therein, the main body configured to contour to the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy; 
 (b) an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer; and 
 (c) a displacing mechanism disposed at least partially in the main body for applying perpendicular force to the soft tissues of the wearer, the displacing mechanism comprising a force member at least partially received in the aperture and having structure adapted for contacting the soft tissues, and a lace and a tensioning mechanism disposed at a location on the main body for adjusting the perpendicular force to the soft tissues, wherein at least a portion of the force member is displaced out of the aperture in directions toward the wearer and away from the main body when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism, and wherein the location of the tensioning mechanism remains fixed relative to the adjustable strap when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1  wherein the force member comprises a convexly curved flexible finger, and wherein the lace runs over the outer surface of the finger and the finger deflects under the tension when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       3. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 2  wherein the lace crosses over the outer surface of the finger. 
     
     
       4. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 2  wherein the finger is from about 2.5 cm to about 7.6 cm long. 
     
     
       5. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1  wherein the force member comprises a concavely curved flexible finger comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being adjacent to the tensioning mechanism and the second end being attached to the lace; wherein the second end slides along a track and the finger bows as the lace is tightened using the tensioning system. 
     
     
       6. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 5  wherein the finger is from about 2.5 cm to about 7.6 cm long. 
     
     
       7. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1  wherein the displacing mechanism converts torque force into linear force using a rigid mechanical positive displacement mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 7  wherein the rigid mechanical positive displacement mechanism comprises a pressure foot rotatably connected to at least one rigid leg; wherein the at least one rigid leg is positioned at an angle of less than 90° when the lace is not tensioned and the at least one rigid leg rotates toward a 90° angle and applies downward force when the lace is tightened using the tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 7  wherein the rigid mechanical positive displacement mechanism comprises a convexly curved flexible finger and a rigid wedge that slides along a track; wherein the rigid wedge is spring-loaded to return it to a neutral position and the lace pulls the wedge in the opposite direction along the track when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism such that the finger deflects applying a downward force. 
     
     
       10. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 9  wherein the positive displacement mechanism further comprises a pressure foot that contacts the soft tissue and applies linear downward force. 
     
     
       11. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is a semicircle or truncated semicircle. 
     
     
       12. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 11  wherein the main body has a circumference from about 15 cm to about 50 cm. 
     
     
       13. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force member further comprises padding where it is adapted to contacts and apply perpendicular pressure to the wearer's anatomy. 
     
     
       14. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force member further comprises a rotatable or pivoting pressure foot where it contacts and applies perpendicular pressure to the wearer's anatomy. 
     
     
       15. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body and displacing mechanism do not apply circumferential pressure to the wearer's anatomy. 
     
     
       16. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a release for disengaging the tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       17. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a lubricious polymer. 
     
     
       18. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is configured to contour the curvature of a portion of a wearer's appendage. 
     
     
       19. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 18  wherein the main body is configured to contour a wearer's forearm. 
     
     
       20. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 18 , wherein adjusting the tightness of the adjustable strap does not involve applying tension to the lace using the tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       21. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is a rotary tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       22. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing mechanism can provide at least about 0.6 cm and up to about 2.5 cm of deflection. 
     
     
       23. The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is a semi-rigid or rigid body. 
     
     
       24. An orthopedic pressure device comprising:
 (a) a main body configured to contour to the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy; 
 (b) an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer; and 
 (c) a displacing mechanism partially disposed in the main body for applying perpendicular force to soft tissues of the wearer that are located underneath the main body when the device is worn, the displacing mechanism comprising 
 a displaceable pressure pad adapted to contact and apply downward perpendicular force to the soft tissues underneath the main body, and a lace and a tensioning mechanism for adjusting the perpendicular force applied through the pad to the soft tissues by adjusting the displacement of the pressure pad relative to the main body, 
 wherein the lace is coupled to and runs over at least a portion of an outer surface of the pad, wherein at least a portion of the pad is displaced toward the soft tissues and away from the main body when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism, and wherein adjusting the tightness of the adjustable strap does not involve applying tension to the lace using the tensioning mechanism. 
 
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 24 , wherein the pressure pad includes a skin facing surface that is concavely curved, and wherein the lace runs over a portion of an opposite, outer surface of the pad. 
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 24 , wherein the main body including an aperture defined therein and the pad is at least partially received in the aperture, and wherein at least a portion of the force member is displaced out of the aperture when tension is applied to the lace using the tensioning mechanism.